RealNames
RealNames was an internet-keyword navigation company founded by Keith TeareKeith TeareKeith Teare is a technology entrepreneur and investor associated with the founding of TechCrunch, EasyNet and RealNames, and an executive at SignalRank.Open the full entry. It partnered with MicrosoftMicrosoftMicrosoft is a technology company founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975 and headquartered in Redmond, Washington, with businesses spanning Windows, Microsoft 365, Azure, enterprise software, artificial intelligence, gaming and devices.Open the full entry to let users reach sites through brand or company names, and ceased operations in 2002. Michael ArringtonMichael ArringtonMichael Arrington is an American entrepreneur and investor who founded the technology publication TechCrunch in 2005, created Crunchbase in 2007, sold TechCrunch to AOL in 2010, and went on to found CrunchFund and the crypto-asset investment firm Arrington Capital.Open the full entry held legal and business-development roles.
Contents6 sections
Key facts
Founding and purpose: Internet-keyword navigation
Keith Teare founded RealNames to let users navigate with recognizable business, brand and product names instead of complete web addresses, relying on browser and search-platform distribution.[1]
Management: Michael Arrington’s roles
Michael Arrington served as general counsel and vice president of sales and business development and later consulted for RealNames. He and Teare subsequently founded Archimedes VenturesArchimedes VenturesArchimedes Ventures was an incubator established by Keith Teare and Michael Arrington in 2005, associated with the early development of TechCrunch and Edgeio. Later phases used names including Archimedes Labs and Archimedes Studio.Open the full entry and worked together around TechCrunchTechCrunchTechCrunch is an American technology news outlet founded in 2005 by Michael Arrington and Keith Teare and headquartered in San Francisco; it mainly covers technology companies, startups, and venture capital, and hosts events such as TechCrunch Disrupt. Its ownership passed successively through AOL, Verizon, and Yahoo, and in 2025 Regent announced its acquisition.Open the full entry’s beginnings.[2][3]
March 2000Microsoft partnership
RealNames became Internet Explorer’s keyword provider, with Microsoft receiving a 20% stake. The agreement tied distribution closely to the browser platform and made continuation of the relationship central to the business.[1]
2002Shutdown
In May 2002, RealNames announced 83 layoffs and asset liquidation after Microsoft declined to renew. Teare criticized the decision as restricting innovation; Microsoft cited business-model and user-experience concerns. The company announced an end to service in late June.[1]
Related Organizations, Websites, and Public Accounts
Related people and organizations include Keith Teare, Michael Arrington, Microsoft and Archimedes Ventures. This entry concerns the defunct keyword company rather than a current service using the same name.[1]